Experiential learning in protected cultivation: a novel method in agricultural education

Abstract

A novel method of education based on Experiential Learning Programme (ELP)has been recently introduced in agricultural education system in SAUs throughICAR, New Delhi. Floriculture has emerged in the form of lucrative flora industryas Government of India has identified it as a sunrise industry and accorded it100% export-oriented status. As per Agricultural and Processed Food ProductsExport Development Authority (APEDA), commercial floriculture has been viewedas high growth industry owing to hi-tech activity-taking place under controlledclimatic conditions inside greenhouse and is gaining importance from the exportangle. There is a need of advance training for skill upgradation on protectedcultivation technology in agricultural system to further strengthening thefloriculture industry in our country. The ELP holds great promise and potentialfor managerial, technical and entrepreneurial skill development in the protectedcultivation of high-value flower crops. The ELP on protected cultivation of highvalue flower crops has been flourishing well at the Department of Floricultureand Landscape Architecture, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, NavsariAgricultural University. The basic features of the ELP are being discussed in thisarticle.